<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from SEC Form
10-Q and is qualified in its entirety by refernce to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000875194
<NAME> CATHERINES STORES CORP
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-04-1996
<CASH>                                           4,410
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    4,960
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     56,941
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                71,441
<PP&E>                                          52,731
<DEPRECIATION>                                (19,709)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 131,909
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           45,302
<BONDS>                                              0
<COMMON>                                        50,082
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                           0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   131,909
<SALES>                                         70,464
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                70,464
<CGS>                                           47,493
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   47,493
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                18,769
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 291
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  3,610
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,155
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              3,610
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     2,155
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.28
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.28